Optical fiber, optical amplification/oscillation device, laser light generating device, laser display unit, and color laser display unit

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is an optical fiber including a core doped with first metal ions; and a cladding formed so as to surround the core and doped with second metal ions selected so that the absorption coefficient in a transition wavelength band of first transition of the first metal ions is greater than the absorption coefficient in a transition wavelength band of second transition of the first metal ions. The amplification of light due to the first transition is suppressed, and at least the amplification or oscillation of light due to the second transition is effected. Also disclosed are an optical amplification/oscillation device, a laser light generating device, and a laser display unit, and a color laser display unit each employing the optical fiber.

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/103,878,filed on Mar. 25, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,898,366.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an optical fiber, opticalamplification/oscillation device, laser light generating device, laserdisplay unit, and color laser display unit, and more particularly to anoptical fiber capable of operating as a fiber laser, and an opticalamplification/oscillation device, laser light generating device, laserdisplay unit, and color laser display unit each employing the opticalfiber.

There has been proposed a color laser display unit for displaying acolor image by the combination of lasers for emitting red laser light,green laser light, and blue laser light.

As the lasers for emitting red laser light and green laser light, thedevelopment of semiconductor lasers is proceeding. Further, acontinuous-wave laser having an output of 10 W is now available by asolid-state laser for green laser light.

On the other hand, various studies have been made on the laser foremitting blue laser light. For example, a compound semiconductor lasercontaining nitrides typically such as gallium nitride (GaN) and methodemploying a nonlinear element for converting infrared laser light in a920 nm band, for example, into a second harmonic to obtain blue laserlight have been considered.

The above method employing a nonlinear element for converting infraredlaser light into a second harmonic utilizes a nonlinear phenomenon, sothat it is necessary to ensure a sufficient intensity of infrared laserlight entering the nonlinear element.

A fiber laser using an optical fiber having a double-cladding structurehas been proposed to obtain laser light in a 1050 nm band or in a 1550nm band.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an optical fiber 1 having adouble-cladding structure, configuring the above fiber laser.

The optical fiber 1 has a core 10, a first cladding 11 formed so as tosurround the core 10, and a second cladding 12 formed so as to surroundthe first cladding 11.

The core 10 is formed of glass doped with Er³⁺ or Nd³⁺, for example. Thefollowing description is applied to the case where the core 10 is formedof glass doped with Nd³⁺.

When pump light PL having a wavelength of 810 nm emitted from asemiconductor laser, for example, is coupled into the first cladding 11,laser light in a 1050 nm band, for example, is generated due to⁴F_(3/2)→⁴I_(11/2) transition as an example of the transitions of anenergy state of Nd³⁺ in the glass.

On the other hand, signal laser light SL as light to be amplified,having a wavelength of 1050 nm is coupled into the core 10simultaneously with the pump light PL, so that the signal laser light SLhaving the wavelength of 1050 nm can be amplified in the optical fiber 1to thereby obtain high-intensity laser light in the 1050 nm band.

However, a blue light source as in a color laser display unit employslight having a 920 nm band so as to obtain light having a 460 nm band asa blue region after converting the light in the 920 nm band into asecond harmonic. Accordingly, the light in the 1050 nm band is notrequired, and it is desirable to suppress the oscillation in the 1050 nmband. However, in the optical fiber whose core is doped with Nd³⁺ asmentioned above, the oscillation in the 1050 nm band is much intensivethan the oscillation in the 920 nm band, and it is therefore verydifficult to suppress the oscillation in the 1050 nm band andsimultaneously effect the oscillation and amplification in the 920 nmband.

In the optical fiber capable of operating as a fiber laser in the casethat there are a plurality of transition wavelength bands each allowingthe oscillation of light, it is unknown that the oscillation in one ofthe transition wavelength bands is suppressed and the oscillation andamplification in another transition wavelength band are effected.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide anoptical fiber capable of operating as a fiber laser in the case thatthere are a plurality of transition wavelength bands each allowing theoscillation of light which can suppress the oscillation in one of thetransition wavelength bands and can effect the oscillation andamplification in another transition wavelength band.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an opticalamplification/oscillation device using the optical fiber.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a laser lightgenerating device using the optical fiber.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a laserdisplay unit using the optical fiber.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a colorlaser display unit using the optical fiber.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an optical fiber including a core doped with first metal ions;and a cladding formed so as to surround the core and doped with secondmetal ions selected so that the absorption coefficient in a transitionwavelength band of first transition of the first metal ions is greaterthan the absorption coefficient in a transition wavelength band ofsecond transition of the first metal ions; the amplification of lightdue to the first transition being suppressed; at least the amplificationor oscillation of light due to the second transition being effected.

Preferably, the absorption coefficient in the transition wavelength bandof the first transition of the first metal ions is greater than theabsorption coefficient in the transition wavelength band of the secondtransition of the first metal ions by five times or more.

Preferably, the first metal ions include Nd³⁺.

More preferably, the first transition includes ⁴F_(3/2)→⁴I_(11/2)transition, and the second transition includes ⁴F_(3/2)→⁴I_(9/2)transition.

More preferably, the transition wavelength band of the first transitionincludes 1050±20 nm, and the transition wavelength band of the secondtransition includes 920±20 nm.

Preferably, the V factor of the optical fiber is in the range of0.5<V<2.5.

Preferably, the optical fiber is a polarization maintaining fiber.

Preferably, the core is formed of glass doped with the first metal ions.

More preferably, the core is formed of fluoride glass doped with thefirst metal ions, especially, zirconium containing fluoride glass dopedwith the first metal ions.

Preferably, the second metal ions include rare earth ions.

More preferably, the second metal ions include Pr³⁺, and theconcentration of the Pr³⁺ in the cladding is in the range of 1 wt % to40 wt %.

More preferably, the second metal ions include Sm²⁺.

Preferably, the optical fiber further includes a second cladding formedso as to surround the cladding.

The optical fiber according to the present invention can be configuredas a fiber laser. In the case that there are a plurality of transitionwavelength bands each allowing the oscillation of light, due to thefirst metal ions contained in the core, the cladding is doped with thesecond metal ions selected so that the absorption coefficient in thetransition wavelength band of the first transition of the first metalions is greater than the absorption coefficient in the transitionwavelength band of the second transition of the first metal ions by fivetimes or more, for example. Accordingly, light in the transitionwavelength band of the first transition can be absorbed in the claddingto thereby suppress the oscillation in the transition wavelength band ofthe first transition, whereas light in the transition wavelength band ofthe second transition can be oscillated and amplified.

In the case that the core is formed of Nd³⁺-doped fluoride glass, forexample, ⁴F_(3/2)→⁴I_(11/2) transition (1050±20 nm) and⁴F_(3/2)→⁴I_(9/2) transition (920±20 nm) each allowing the oscillationof light are present. By doping the cladding with a predeterminedconcentration of rare earth ions such as Pr³⁺ or Sm²⁺ in this case, theoscillation due to the ⁴F_(3/2)→⁴I_(11/2) transition (1050±20 nm) can besuppressed, and the oscillation due to the ⁴F_(3/2)→⁴I_(19/2) transition(920±20 nm) can be amplified.

In particular, by selecting the V factor of the optical fiber to about0.5 to about 2.5, the proportion of propagation of light in thewavelength band of 1050±20 nm in the cladding to propagation in the corecan be effectively made higher than the proportion of propagation oflight in the wavelength band of 920±20 nm in the cladding to propagationin the core. Accordingly, the absorption of the light in the wavelengthband of 1050±20 nm in the cladding can be efficiently performed tothereby suppress the oscillation of the light in the wavelength band of1050±20 nm.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an optical amplification/oscillation device including anoptical fiber having a core doped with first metal ions, and a claddingformed so as to surround the core and doped with second metal ionsselected so that the absorption coefficient in a transition wavelengthband of first transition of the first metal ions is greater than theabsorption coefficient in a transition wavelength band of secondtransition of the first metal ions; a first light source for emittinglight to be amplified in the transition wavelength band of the secondtransition; a second light source for emitting pump light; and opticalmeans for coupling the light to be amplified and the pump light into theoptical fiber; the amplification of light due to the first transitionbeing suppressed in the optical fiber; the amplification of the light tobe amplified or the oscillation of light due to the second transitionbeing effected in the optical fiber.

Preferably, the second light source includes a semiconductor laser.

Preferably, the wavelength of the pump light includes 800±20 nm in thecase that the second metal ions are not Pr³⁺, whereas the wavelength ofthe pump light includes 845±10 nm or 775±10 nm in the case that thesecond metal ions are Pr³⁺.

The optical amplification/oscillation device according to the presentinvention can perform the oscillation and amplification of light in thewavelength band of 920±20 nm, for example, by using the optical fiber ofthe present invention which in the case that there are a plurality oftransition wavelength bands each allowing the oscillation of light, cansuppress the oscillation in the transition wavelength band of the firsttransition and can perform the oscillation and amplification in thetransition wavelength band of the second transition.

In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a laser light generating device including an optical fiberhaving a core doped with first metal ions, and a cladding formed so asto surround the core and doped with second metal ions selected so thatthe absorption coefficient in a transition wavelength band of firsttransition of the first metal ions is greater than the absorptioncoefficient in a transition wavelength band of second transition of thefirst metal ions; a first light source for emitting light to beamplified in the transition wavelength band of the second transition; asecond light source for emitting pump light; a nonlinear element forconverting incident light into a second harmonic; and optical means forcoupling the light to be amplified and the pump light into the opticalfiber and coupling emergent light from the optical fiber into thenonlinear element; the amplification of light due to the firsttransition being suppressed in the optical fiber; the amplification ofthe light to be amplified or the oscillation of light due to the secondtransition being effected in the optical fiber; the emergent light fromthe optical fiber being converted into second-harmonic laser light bythe nonlinear element.

The laser light generating device according to the present invention canperform the oscillation and amplification of light in the wavelengthband of 920±20 nm, for example, by using the optical fiber of thepresent invention which in the case that there are a plurality oftransition wavelength bands each allowing the oscillation of light, cansuppress the oscillation in the transition wavelength band of the firsttransition and can perform the oscillation and amplification in thetransition wavelength band of the second transition. Furthermore, theemergent light from the optical fiber is converted into second-harmoniclaser light in the wavelength band of 460±10 nm by the nonlinearelement, and this laser light is generated from this device.

In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a laser display unit including a laser light generating device;a spatial modulator for spatially modulating laser light generated fromthe laser light generating device; a lens for projecting the laser lightspatially modulated by the spatial modulator; and a screen for receivingthe laser light projected by the lens to form an image; the laser lightgenerating device including an optical fiber having a core doped withfirst metal ions, and a cladding formed so as to surround the core anddoped with second metal ions selected so that the absorption coefficientin a transition wavelength band of first transition of the first metalions is greater than the absorption coefficient in a transitionwavelength band of second transition of the first metal ions; a firstlight source for emitting light to be amplified in the transitionwavelength band of the second transition; a second light source foremitting pump light; a nonlinear element for converting incident lightinto a second harmonic; and optical means for coupling the light to beamplified and the pump light into the optical fiber and couplingemergent light from the optical fiber into the nonlinear element; theamplification of light due to the first transition being suppressed inthe optical fiber; the amplification of the light to be amplified or theoscillation of light due to the second transition being effected in theoptical fiber; the emergent light from the optical fiber being convertedinto second-harmonic laser light by the nonlinear element.

Preferably, the wavelength of the second-harmonic laser light includes460±10 nm.

The laser display unit according to the present invention can performthe oscillation and amplification of light in the wavelength band of920±20 nm, for example, by using the optical fiber of the presentinvention which in the case that there are a plurality of transitionwavelength bands each allowing the oscillation of light, can suppressthe oscillation in the transition wavelength band of the firsttransition and can perform the oscillation and amplification in thetransition wavelength band of the second transition. Furthermore, theemergent light from the optical fiber is converted into second-harmoniclaser light in the wavelength band of 460±10 nm by the nonlinearelement, and this laser light is projected onto the screen by the lens.

In accordance with a fifth aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a color laser display unit including a blue laser lightgenerating device; a green laser light generating device; a red laserlight generating device; a spatial modulator for spatially modulatingblue laser light generated from the blue laser generating device, greenlaser light generated from the green laser light generating device, andred laser light generated from the red laser light generating device; alens for projecting the blue laser light, the green laser light, and thered laser light spatially modulated by the spatial modulator; and ascreen for receiving the blue laser light, the green laser light, andthe red laser light projected by the lens to form a color image; theblue laser light generating device including an optical fiber having acore doped with first metal ions, and a cladding formed so as tosurround the core and doped with second metal ions selected so that theabsorption coefficient in a transition wavelength band of firsttransition of the first metal ions is greater than the absorptioncoefficient in a transition wavelength band of second transition of thefirst metal ions; a first light source for emitting light to beamplified in the transition wavelength band of the second transition; asecond light source for emitting pump light; a nonlinear element forconverting incident light into a second harmonic; and optical means forcoupling the light to be amplified and the pump light into the opticalfiber and coupling emergent light from the optical fiber into thenonlinear element; the amplification of light due to the firsttransition being suppressed in the optical fiber; the amplification ofthe light to be amplified or the oscillation of light due to the secondtransition being effected in the optical fiber; the emergent light fromthe optical fiber being converted into second-harmonic laser light bythe nonlinear element.

The color laser display unit according to the present invention canperform the oscillation and amplification of light in the wavelengthband of 920±20 nm, for example, by using the optical fiber of thepresent invention which in the case that there are a plurality oftransition wavelength bands each allowing the oscillation of light, cansuppress the oscillation in the transition wavelength band of the firsttransition and can perform the oscillation and amplification in thetransition wavelength band of the second transition. Furthermore, theemergent light from the optical fiber is converted into second-harmoniclaser light in the wavelength band of 460±10 nm by the nonlinearelement, and this blue-laser light is projected onto the screen by thelens together with the green laser light and the red laser light.

Thus, the optical fiber according to the present invention can beconfigured as a fiber laser, and in the case that there are a pluralityof transition wavelength bands each allowing the oscillation of light,can suppress the oscillation in one of the transition wavelength bandsand can effect the oscillation and amplification in another transitionwavelength band. By using this optical fiber, it is possible toconfigure the optical amplification/oscillation device, the laser lightgenerating device, the laser display unit, and the color laser displayunit according to the present invention.

Other objects and features of the invention will be more fullyunderstood from the following detailed description and appended claimswhen taken with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an optical fiber as a fiberlaser in the related art;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a laser light generating deviceaccording to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3A is a schematic perspective view of an optical fiber used in thelaser light generating device shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 3B is a schematic sectional view of a core and a first claddingforming the optical fiber shown in FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3C is a schematic diagram showing the distribution of propagationof light in the wavelength band of 1050 nm and the distribution ofpropagation of light in the wavelength band of 920 nm in relation toFIG. 3B;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a refractive index profile of the opticalfiber shown in FIG. 3A;

FIG. 5 is a graph showing the proportion η of propagation in the firstcladding and the difference Δη obtained by subtracting a value for η inthe 920 nm band from a value for η in the 1050 nm band, with respect tothe V factor of the optical fiber;

FIG. 6 is a graph of absorption spectrum data of Pr³⁺-doped glass;

FIG. 7 is a graph of absorption spectrum data of Sm²⁺-doped glass;

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a laser light generating deviceaccording to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a color laser display unit according toa third preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Some preferred embodiments of the present invention will now bedescribed in detail with reference to the drawings.

First Preferred Embodiment

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a laser lightgenerating device for preparing high-output infrared laser light havinga 920 nm band and converting the infrared laser light into a secondharmonic by a nonlinear element to generate blue laser light having a460 nm band.

In the laser light generating device according to this preferredembodiment, an optical fiber 1 referred to as a fiber laser having adouble-cladding structure to be hereinafter described is used to preparethe high-output infrared laser light having a 920 nm band.

In relation to the optical fiber 1, there are arranged at predeterminedpositions a master laser source 20, pump sources 21 and 22, condenserlenses 23 and 24, a multiplexer element 25, a multiplexer mirror 26,condenser lenses 27 and 28, a demultiplexer mirror 29, a condenser lens30, a nonlinear element 31 for second-harmonic generation, a condenserlens 32, and a demultiplexer mirror 33.

The master laser source 20 is provided by a semiconductor laser or asolid-state laser, for example. Signal laser light SL having awavelength of 920±10 nm as light to be amplified is emitted from themaster laser source 20 with an output of several to 100 mW, and iscoupled into the optical fiber 1 by the multiplexer mirror 26 and thecondenser lens 27.

On the other hand, pump light PL having an 810 nm band and a wavelengthband of 845±10 nm or 775±10 nm is emitted from the pump sources 21 and22 with an output of tens of mw, and is coupled into the optical fiber 1through the respective condenser lens 23 or 24, the multiplexer element25 and the multiplexer mirror 26.

In the optical fiber 1, the oscillation of light having a 1050 nm bandis suppressed, and the light having a 920 nm band is amplified to beemerged as high-intensity infrared laser light IL.

The infrared laser light IL emerged from the optical fiber 1 isseparated from the pump light by the demultiplexer mirror 29 asrequired, and is coupled into the nonlinear element 31 by the condenserlens 30.

In the nonlinear element 31, the infrared laser light IL having a 920 nmband is converted into a second harmonic (460 nm band) by a nonlinearphenomenon to obtain blue laser light BL.

The blue laser light BL emerged from the nonlinear element 31 isextracted through the condenser lens 32 and the demultiplexer mirror 33for separating the second harmonic (460 nm band) from the fundamentalwave (920 nm band).

FIG. 3A is a schematic perspective view of the optical fiber 1 having adouble-cladding structure, configuring the above-mentioned fiber laser.

The optical fiber 1 has a core 10, a first cladding 11 formed so as tosurround the core 10, and a second cladding 12 formed so as to surroundthe first cladding 11.

FIG. 3B is a schematic sectional view of the core 10 and the firstcladding 11.

The core 10 has a substantially circular cross section, and the firstcladding 11 has a substantially elliptical cross section. With thisconfiguration, the optical fiber 1 functions as a polarizationmaintaining fiber increased in birefringence by giving asymmetry. Thepolarization maintaining fiber can maintain the polarization of lightduring propagation, so that the efficiency of the above-mentionednonlinear optical phenomenon can be improved.

The core 10 is formed of glass such as fluoride glass or zirconiumcontaining fluoride glass (ZBLAN, a tradename) doped with Nd³⁺ at aconcentration of 0.01 to 0.1 atomic %, for example.

The first cladding 11 is formed of glass doped with metal ions at apredetermined concentration, in which the metal ions are selected sothat the absorption coefficient in the 1050 nm band due to⁴F_(3/2)→⁴I_(11/2) transition as the first transition of the energystate of Nd³⁺ contained in the core 10 is greater than the absorptioncoefficient in the 920 nm band due to ⁴F_(3/2)→⁴I_(9/2) transition asthe second transition of the energy state of Nd³⁺ contained in the core10.

More specifically, the absorption coefficient in the 1050 nm band isgreater than the absorption coefficient in the 920 nm band preferably byfive times or more, more preferably by ten times or more.

As the metal ions, rare earth ions may be used. More specifically, 1 to40 wt % (typically, 15 wt %) of Pr³⁺ is contained in the first cladding.Alternatively, a low concentration of Sm²⁺ may be used.

When the pump light PL emitted from a semiconductor laser or the likeenters the first cladding 11 as shown in FIG. 3A, an excited state(⁴F_(3/2)) of Nd³⁺ in the glass forming the core 10 is generated. Fromthis excited state, ⁴F_(3/2)→⁴I_(11/2) transition (1050 nm band) and⁴F_(3/2)→⁴I_(9/2) transition (920 nm band) are generated to generatelight corresponding to each transition energy.

At this time, the signal laser light SL as the light to be amplifiedhaving a wavelength of 920 nm corresponding to the ⁴F_(3/2)→⁴I_(9/2)transition is coupled into the core 10 simultaneously with the pumplight PL, thereby amplifying the signal laser light SL having thewavelength of 920 nm in the optical fiber 1 to obtain high-intensitylaser light having a 920 nm band.

On the other hand, the light propagating in the optical fiber 1 isdistributed not only in the core 10, but also in the first cladding 11.Further, the first cladding 11 contains metal ions such as Pr³⁺ or Sm²⁺in which the absorption coefficient in the 1050 nm band is greater thanthe absorption coefficient in the 920 nm band. Accordingly, owing to theabsorption by the above metal ions, the loss of the light in the 1050 nmband can be set greater than the gain in this band, thereby suppressingthe oscillation of the laser light in the 1050 nm band.

The absorption coefficient of the metal ions in the first cladding 11 inthe 1050 nm band is greater than the absorption efficiency of the metalions in the first cladding 11 in the 920 nm band preferably by fivetimes or more, more preferably by ten times or more, whereby theoscillation of the laser light in the 1050 nm band can be efficientlysuppressed.

By increasing the proportion of distribution of the light in the 1050 nmband in the first-cladding 11, the loss of the light in the 1050 nm bandin the first cladding 11 can be made greater to thereby more suppressthe oscillation of the laser light in the 1050 nm band.

Increasing the proportion of distribution of the light in the 1050 nmband in the first cladding 11 may be attained by setting the V factor ofthe optical fiber 1 in a predetermined range, thereby enhancing thesuppression of the oscillation of the laser light in the 1050 nm band.The V factor of the optical fiber 1 is determined by the radius of thecore 10, the wavelength of the laser light, and the refractive indicesof the core 10 and the first cladding 11. More specifically, the Vfactor is set to about 0.5 to about 2.5, especially to about 1.2. Inthis case, the proportion of distribution of the light in the 1050 nmband in the first cladding 11 to distribution of the light in the 920 nmband in the first cladding 11 can be most increased.

As the wavelength of the pump light PL, an 810 nm band is usuallyemployed for pumping of a Nd³⁺-doped fiber laser. However, Pr³⁺ hasabsorption in this region, so that when the first cladding 11 containsPr³⁺, a wavelength band of 845±10 nm or 775±10 nm is employed as thewavelength of the pump light PL. In the case of using Sm²⁺, an 810 nmband may be employed as the wavelength of the pump light PL.

In the laser light generating device according to this preferredembodiment, the oscillation in the first wavelength band (1050 nm band)is suppressed, and the gain in the second wavelength band (920 nm band)is obtained to obtain high-intensity laser oscillation in the 920 nmband. Then, the laser light in the 920 nm band is converted into asecond harmonic by the nonlinear element to thereby generate blue laserlight in the 460 nm band.

EXAMPLE

By using the optical fiber 1 with the first cladding 11 doped with Pr³⁺,a simulation was performed to calculate the gain of laser light in the1050 nm band and the gain of laser light in the 920 nm band.

FIG. 4 is a refractive index profile of the core and the first claddingin the structure of the optical fiber subjected to the simulation.

For simplicity of calculation, the core and the first cladding areconfigured so that the core having a radius “a” has a refractive indexn₁, the first cladding formed so as to surround the core has arefractive index n₂, and the refractive index profile is of a step indextype such that the refractive index at the interface between the coreand the first cladding is steeply changed.

In the above structure, the V factor referred to as a normalizedfrequency, Δ, NA (numerical aperture), and k are given by Eqs. (1) to(4) shown below. That is, the V factor is uniquely determined by thecore radius a, the wavelength λ, and the refractive indices n₁ and n₂.

The concentration of Nd³⁺ in the core is 0.01 to 0.1 atomic %(1×10²⁵/m³), and the concentration of Pr³⁺ in the first cladding is 15wt %.

V=kn ₁ a√{square root over (2Δ)}  (1) $\begin{matrix}{\Delta = \frac{n_{1}^{2} - n_{2}^{2}}{2n_{1}^{2}}} & (2) \\{{NA} = \sqrt{n_{1}^{2} - n_{2}^{2}}} & (3) \\{k = \frac{2\pi}{\lambda}} & (4)\end{matrix}$

Now, the proportion η of propagation of light in the first cladding willbe examined. The proportion of propagation of light in the corecorresponds to (1−η). The proportion η is obtained by simulation as afunction of the V factor.

Referring to FIG. 5, the solid line “a” shows a plot of η to V, and thebroken line “b” shows a difference (Δη) obtained by subtracting a valuefor η in the case of the 920 nm band from a value for η in the case ofthe 1050 nm band. The difference Δη has positive values in the range ofabout 0.5 to about 2.5 for V, and becomes maximum (Δη=0.12) at a valueof about 1.2 for V.

Accordingly, when the light in the 920 nm band propagates in the core by34% and in the first cladding by 66%, the light in the 1050 nm bandpropagates in the core by 26% and in the first cladding by 74%(=66%×(1+0.12)).

FIG. 3C is a schematic diagram of the distribution of the proportion ofpropagation of the light in each wavelength band as illustrated from theabove result. In FIG. 3C, the solid line a corresponds to the 920 nmband, and the broken line b corresponds to the 1050 nm band.

The horizontal axis in FIG. 3C represents a position in the crosssection of the optical fiber with the same scale as that in FIG. 3B, andthe dotted lines in FIG. 3C show portions corresponding to the interfacebetween the core 10 and the first cladding 11. The area surrounded bythe curve of each distribution and the horizontal axis is normalized bythe distributions shown by the solid line a and the broken line b.

As apparent from FIG. 3C, the proportion of propagation of the light inthe 1050 nm band (the broken line b) is greater than the proportion ofthe light in the 920 nm band (the solid line a) as similar to the resultmentioned above.

There will now be examined the difference (net gain) between gain andloss of the light in the 1050 nm band and the difference (net gain)between gain and loss of the light in the 920 nm band.

The difference (net gain) between gain and loss of the light in thefirst wavelength band (1050 nm band) satisfies Eq. (5) shown below tosuppress the oscillation in the first wavelength band (1050 nm band),and the difference (net gain) between gain and loss of the light in thesecond wavelength band (920 nm band) satisfies Eq. (6) shown below toobtain the gain in the second wavelength band (920 nm band), therebygenerating the laser oscillation.γ₁ LP _(in)(1−η₁)−α₁ LP _(in)η₁≦0  (5)γ₂ LP _(in)(1−η₂)−α₂ LP _(in)η₂>0  (6)

In each of Eqs. (5) and (6), the first term on the left side means thegain, and the second term on the left side means the loss.

γ₁ and γ₂ are the gain coefficients in the 1050 nm band and the 920 nmband, respectively, wherein each gain coefficient is represented by theproduct of the stimulated emission scattering cross section and theconcentration of Nd³⁺ in the core. L is the length of the optical fiber.P_(in) is the intensity of incident pump light. η₁ and η₂ are theproportions of propagation of the light in the first cladding in the1050 nm band and in the 920 nm band, respectively. α₁ and α₂ are theabsorption coefficients in the first cladding in the 1050 nm band and inthe 920 nm band, respectively, wherein each absorption coefficient isestimated from absorption spectrum data of the glass doped with metalions such as Pr³⁺.

FIG. 6 shows absorption spectrum data of the glass doped with about 30wt % of Pr³⁺. In FIG. 6, the vertical axis represents transmittance, andthe horizontal axis represents wavelength.

It is estimated from the data shown in FIG. 6 that in the glass dopedwith 15 wt % of Pr³⁺ the absorption coefficient α₁ is 15/m and theabsorption coefficient α₂ is 1.5/m.

The gain coefficient γ₁ in the 1050 nm band becomes the stimulatedemission scattering cross section (4×10⁻²⁴ m²)×the concentration(1×10²⁵/m³)=40/m, and the gain coefficient γ₂ in the 920 nm band becomesthe stimulated emission scattering cross section (0.53×10⁻²⁴ m²)×theconcentration (1×10²⁵/m³)=5.3/m. While the above values for thestimulated emission scattering cross section are typical values, thereis a slight difference in value for the scattering cross sectionaccording to core material.

Further, from the above calculation, the proportion η₁ of propagation ofthe light in the 1050 nm band in the first cladding becomes 0.74, andthe proportion η₂ of propagation of the light in the 920 nm band becomes0.66.

The above values in the 1050 nm band are inserted into Eq. (5) to give[40(/m)×(1−0.74)−15(/m)×0.74]LP _(in)=−0.7LP _(in)<0.

This result shows that the loss of the second term is greater than thegain of the first term, thereby suppressing the oscillation in the firstwavelength band (1050 nm band).

Further, the above values in the 920 nm band are inserted into Eq. (6)to give[5.3(/m)×(1−0.66)−1.5(/m)×0.66]LP _(in)=0.812LP _(in)>0.

This result shows that the gain of the first term is greater than theloss of the second term, thereby obtaining the gain in the secondwavelength band (920 nm band) and effecting the laser oscillation andamplification.

Finally, a threshold on the pump light for effecting the laseroscillation and amplification in the 920 nm band will now be calculated.

A threshold I_(th) on the pump light for effecting the laser oscillationand amplification is given by Eq. (7) shown below. $\begin{matrix}{I_{th} = \frac{{hv}_{p}}{\sigma_{p}\tau_{2}}} & (7)\end{matrix}$where h is the Planck constant, ν_(p) is the frequency of the pump,light, σ_(p) is the absorption scattering cross section at thewavelength of the pump light, and τ₂ is the fluorescence lifetime.

By inserting values for these symbols into Eq. (7), I_(th)=233 kW/cm².Further, a threshold P_(th) for an effective area A_(eff) (=5×10⁻¹² m²)of the optical fiber becomes 12 mW. Accordingly, by introducing the pumplight having a power of 12 mW or more into the optical fiber, the laseroscillation and amplification in the 920 nm band can be effected.

In the above preferred embodiment, the optical fiber with the firstcladding doped with Pr³⁺ is used, and the configuration of the opticalfiber containing Pr³⁺ is set so that the oscillation in the firstwavelength band (1050 nm band) is suppressed and the gain in the secondwavelength band (920 nm band) is obtained to satisfy the conditions forlaser oscillation and amplification. Further, the threshold on the pumplight for effecting the laser oscillation and amplification iscalculated. Alternatively, Sm²⁺ (e.g., a concentration of about 1 wt %)may be used in place of Pr³⁺ to configure an optical fiber. Also in thiscase, a similar calculation may be made. That is, the configuration ofthe optical fiber containing Sm²⁺ may be set so that the oscillation inthe first wavelength band (1050 nm band) is suppressed and the gain inthe second wavelength band (920 nm band) is obtained to satisfy theconditions for laser oscillation and amplification. Further, a thresholdfor effecting the laser oscillation and amplification may be similarlycalculated.

FIG. 7 shows absorption spectrum data of the glass doped with about 30wt % of Sm²⁺. In FIG. 7, the vertical axis represents transmittance, andthe horizontal axis represents wavelength. From the data shown in FIG.7, the absorption coefficients α₁ and α₂ of the glass doped with about 1wt % of Sm²⁺ in the 1050 nm band and in the 920 nm band can be estimatedand incorporated into the above calculation.

Second Preferred Embodiment

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a laser lightgenerating device for preparing high-output infrared laser light havinga 920 nm band and converting the infrared laser light into a secondharmonic by a nonlinear element to generate blue laser light having a460 nm band as similar to the first preferred embodiment.

If the output of the infrared laser light having a 920 nm band is toohigh in a single optical fiber, there is a possibility of damage to theoptical fiber. To cope with this problem, a plurality of (e.g., four asshown) optical fibers 1 a, 1 b, 1 c, and 1 d are used to distribute theinfrared laser light into a plurality of light components, which are inturn multiplexed and converted into a second harmonic by a nonlinearelement, thereby generating blue laser light having a 460 nm band.

Each optical fiber used in this preferred embodiment is similar to theoptical fiber 1 used in the first preferred embodiment.

In relation to the optical fibers 1 a, 1 b, 1 c, and 1 d, there arearranged at predetermined positions a master laser source 20,demultiplexer mirrors 34 a, 34 b, 34 c, and 34 d, multiplexer mirrors 35a, 35 b, 35 c, and 35 d, condenser lenses 36 a, 36 b, 36 c, and 36 d, amultiplexer element 37, a condenser lens 38, a nonlinear element 39 forsecond-harmonic generation, a condenser lens 40, and an emerging element41.

Signal laser light SL having a wavelength of 920±10 nm as light to beamplified and pump light PL having an 810 nm band and a wavelength bandof 845±10 nm or 775±10 nm are coupled into each of the optical fibers 1a to 1 d, in which the oscillation in the first wavelength band (1050 nmband) is suppressed and the gain in the second wavelength band (920 nmband) is obtained to effect the laser oscillation and amplification inthe 920 nm band as in the first preferred embodiment.

The infrared laser light components in the 920 nm band output from theoptical fibers 1 a to 1 d are multiplexed by the multiplexer element 37to obtain high-intensity infrared laser light IL. The infrared laserlight IL (920 nm band) is next converted into a second harmonic (460 nmband) by the nonlinear element 39 to generate blue laser light BL, whichis emerged from the emerging element 41.

In the laser light generating device according to this preferredembodiment as similar to the first preferred embodiment, the oscillationin the first wavelength band (1050 nm band) is suppressed and the gainin the second wavelength band (920 nm band) is obtained to obtainhigh-intensity laser oscillation in the 920 nm band. Then, thehigh-intensity laser light in the 920 nm band is converted into thesecond harmonic by the nonlinear element to generate the blue laserlight in the 460 nm band.

Third Preferred Embodiment

This preferred embodiment is a color laser display unit.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a color laser display unit usingthe laser light generating device according to the first or secondpreferred embodiment as a blue laser light generating device BLS.

The color laser display unit according to this preferred embodiment hasa green laser light generating device GLS and a red laser lightgenerating device RLS in addition to the blue laser light generatingdevice BLS as light sources.

The color laser display unit further has a spatial modulator MD such asa galvanometer mirror, GLV (grating light valve), and AOM, a projectionlens LN, and a screen SC.

Blue laser light BL, green laser light GL, and red laser light RLrespectively emitted from the light sources BLS, GLS, and RLS arespatially modulated by the spatial modulator MD and projected onto thescreen SC by the projection lens LN to form a color image.

The blue laser light generating device BLS has a configuration similarto that of the laser light generating device according to the first orsecond preferred embodiment.

More specifically, the blue laser light generating device BLS has aninfrared laser generating device ILS for generating infrared laser lightIL having a 920 nm band and a nonlinear element SHG for converting theinfrared laser light IL (920 nm band) into a second harmonic (460 nmband). That is, the infrared laser generating device ILS corresponds toa part of the laser light generating device according to the first orsecond preferred embodiment on the upstream side of the nonlinearelement 31 or 39.

The infrared laser light IL in the 920 nm band emitted from the infraredlaser generating device ILS is converted into the second harmonic (460nm band) by the nonlinear element SHG to generate the blue laser lightBL.

Thus, the color laser display unit according to this preferredembodiment includes as the blue laser source the laser light generatingdevice according to the first or second preferred embodiment having theconfiguration that the oscillation in the first wavelength band (1050 nmband) is suppressed and the gain in the second wavelength band (920 nmband) is obtained to obtain high-intensity laser oscillation in the 920nm band and that the laser light in the 920 nm band is converted intothe second harmonic by the nonlinear element to generate the blue laserlight in the 460 nm band. Then, the blue laser light is projected ontothe screen together with the green laser light and the red laser lightobtained by other means (GLS and RLS, respectively).

The present invention is not limited to the above preferred embodiments.

For example, the first cladding is doped with rare earth ions such asPr³⁺ or Sm²⁺ in relation to the ⁴F_(3/2)→⁴I_(11/2) transition (1050 nmband) and the ⁴F_(3/2)→⁴I_(9/2) transition (920 nm band) as thetransitions of an energy state of Nd³⁺ contained in the glass formingthe core in each preferred embodiment mentioned above. Alternatively, inthe case that there are a plurality of transition wavelength bands eachallowing the oscillation of light, the cladding of the optical fiberaccording to the present invention may be doped with metal ions selectedso that the absorption coefficient in one of the transition wavelengthbands is greater than the absorption coefficient in another transitionwavelength band. With this configuration, the oscillation in the onetransition wavelength band can be suppressed, and the oscillation andamplification in the other transition wavelength band can be effected.Further, the present invention may adopt any other transitions betweenenergy states and any other metal ions.

Other various modifications may be made without departing from the scopeof the present invention.

1. A color laser display unit comprising: a blue laser light generatingdevice; a green laser light generating device; a red laser lightgenerating device; a spatial modulator for spatially modulating bluelaser light generated from said blue laser generating device, greenlaser light generated from said green laser light generating device, andred laser light generated from said red laser light generating device; alens for projecting said blue laser light, said green laser light, andsaid red laser light spatially modulated by said spatial modulator; anda screen for receiving said blue laser light, said green laser light,and said red laser light projected by said lens to form a color image;said blue laser light generating device comprising: an optical fiberhaving a core doped with first metal ions, and a cladding formed so asto surround said core and doped with second metal ions selected so thatthe absorption coefficient in a transition wavelength band of firsttransition of said first metal ions is greater than the absorptioncoefficient in a transition wavelength band of second transition of saidfirst metal ions; a first light source for emitting light to beamplified in said transition wavelength band of said second transition;a second light source for emitting pump light; a nonlinear element forconverting incident light into a second harmonic; and optical means forcoupling said light to be amplified and said pump light into saidoptical fiber and coupling emergent light from said optical fiber intosaid nonlinear element; the amplification of light due to said firsttransition being suppressed in said optical fiber; the amplification ofsaid light to be amplified or the oscillation of light due to saidsecond transition being effected in said optical fiber; said emergentlight from said optical fiber being converted into second-harmonic laserlight by said nonlinear element, wherein the wavelength of said pumplight comprises 845±10 nm or 775±10 nm.